Apparently, the Best Makeup Brush Cleaner Is… Legos?

By now, it’s a pretty well-known fact that cleaning your makeup brushes (and often!) is a must — this model’s horror story will convince even the laziest of girls to lather up. Still, there are a lot of opinions on how to best accomplish the deed. Where some use brush cleaner, for instance, others are taking a much more, erm, creative approach.

Redditor happyidiot3791 showed off on the Makeup Addiction forum that a Lego base can double easily as an affordable means for cleaning your cosmetics tools. According to fellow Reddit user ohemgeeme, it works best by “swirling makeup brushes on the Legos’ bumps and grooves (with your preferred soap).” The bumps “allow the brushes to be better cleaned (compared to in the palm your hand).” What. Genius. Alternate suggestions included silicone potholders. Who knew!?

Other Redditors seemed just as struck by the low-cost ingenuity, leaving comments like, “Wow, I’m just getting rid of my LEGOs too. This tip came just in time,” and “I’ve been doing this for awhile and I’m actually so glad that there are others out there. Now I don’t feel alone in having random Lego base plates sitting around in my room and bathroom.”

Looks like that old box of toys just may come in handy after all!

What’s your favorite makeup hack? Tell us @BritandCo!

(h/t Refinery29; photos via Oli Scarff/Getty)

Kids are some of the most discerning peeps on your holiday list so you want to find something that will really tickle their hearts and brains. An indoor swing? Stilts? Creative forts? STEM kits? We have it all right here so you don't have to dig deep for the perfect gift, leaving you plenty of time to enjoy the season. So go ahead and bake holiday cookies and binge on the latest holiday movie because here are 25+ gift ideas for kiddos that are still in stock and fun for all ages.

Personalized Alphabet Zoo Story Book

Personalize their first ABC book with this zoo-inspired storybook that gives a nod to their cute little name!

Rainbow Unicorn Tea Set

A great way to bond with adults and flex their pretend play muscle is to serve up some scrumptious unicorn tea! The carry case fits everything neatly inside so they can bring it anywhere for an impromptu tea party.

FAO Schwarz Glow Brights Plush Disco Ball

Get ready to party with this ball drop -- a plush disco ball that lights up with dazzling LED lights and sound. It's huggable too;)

Musical Chain Reaction Construction Set

Kids can construct this super cool domino-meets-music-meets-car construction set and play with it for hours after.

Floor Surfer

This roller board helps train motor skills and is totally safe with a design that helps protect their arms and legs. Plus, it's totally fun!

Hearthsong Gymnastics Tumbling Mat

For tumblers and little yogis alike, this mat is perfect for getting their wiggles out.

Learn to Mix & Spin DJ Pad

Aspiring DJs can learn to mix and play with this creative portable music studio.

Cable Transport

Perfect for a treehouse or fort, this crate and pulley system lets kids transport things old-school style, teaching them adventure, creativity, and cooperative play.

Hazel Village Kid Dolls

Made in Brooklyn, these organic handmade dolls are designed to look like kids of all shades, with adorable outfits and accessories to choose from for endless pretend play, or just to cuddle with at bedtime.

Magnetic Color and Number Maze

Toddlers can brush up on their colors and numbers with this magnetic color maze toy where they put beads in the matching paint can.

Montessori Arch

Part lounge chair, part climbing arch, this wooden structure from Etsy works both ways for chill and play time.

Geospace Original Walkaroo Durable Steel Stilts

What kid wouldn't want to play around with these stilts, and thankfully they're way more comfortable than stilts of yore with under arm foam and handles that add comfort and grip.

Kid Made Modern Arts and Crafts Supply Library

Fill your kiddo's craft stash with this 1,000-piece library of all things DIY and watch their creative juices flow.

3-in-1 Wooden Montessori Toys

Just as they're sitting up and tinkering with everything in sight, this 3-in-1 toy comes to the rescue for keeping them engaged and curious.

Weird & Wild Animal Facts Gift Set

Kids who are obsessed with wildlife can learn all about big cats, slithering snakes, mammoth elephants, and manic monkeys in this unique bingo, book and bath fuzz gift set.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Amazing Chemistry Set 

Kids can make bubbling, color-changing, and glowing experiments in this amazing science kit.

LEGO Classic Creative Party Box Set

Get your builders ready for a day of lego building with 12 mini builds and 900 bricks to make their own.

Kids Pod Swing Chair

Give them a private hang-out and reading spot with this indoor swing made in 100% cotton, perfect for bedrooms and play rooms.

Space World Play Tent Galaxy Dome Playhouse

Space explorers can pretend they've rocketed to outer space in this cool tent for secret astronaut missions.

Melissa & Doug Sort, Stock, Select Wooden Vending Machine Play Set

Vending machines are practical for adults but totally fun for kids! Here, kids can stock the machine, insert play coins and press buttons to their watch items fall out and in their hands.

Tiny Land Kids-Fort-Building-Kit-80 Pieces-Creative Fort Toy

Any parent who has tried to build a fort with pillow cushions alone will appreciate this gift that makes fort fun so much easier, and long-lasting. Kids can assemble it themselves too for an added adventure.

Klutz Mini Clay World Pet Adoption Truck Craft Kit

Kids can sculpt puppies, birds, bunnies, and guinea pigs from oven-bake clay and then pretend they're driving a pet adoption truck that they'll also construct!

Friendship Bracelet Making Kit

Remember these? Friendship bracelets for besties and more will never go out of style. There are endless combinations too!

Harry Potter Paperback Box Set (Books 1-7)

Introduce readers to the world of Harry Potter in this first-time ever paperback boxed set!

Wooden Puzzles Blocks Brain Teasers

Challenge kids to a puzzle duel with this brain-teasing game that helps them focus and train their imagination.

​KiwiCo Craft & Carry Supply Station

We love KiwiCo STEM kits and this one has more than 1,000 pieces with a 33-page book chock-full of crafty ideas.

Personal Laptop Kids Chalkboard

No charging station needed here. Let kids pretend they're working like mom and dad with this chalkboard-style laptop for loads of pretend play ideas -- store owner, schoolteacher, writer, and more!

Find more holiday inspiration on our Holiday 2023 page and subscribe to our email newsletter for more holiday gifting ideas!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

Main image: Hazel Village Kid Dolls

Not only is Blake Lively speaking out about the "sexist" commentary on her legal battle with Justin Baldoni, she's also enlisting the help of...the CIA? Yes, you read that right. The actress just recruited an ex-CIA advisor to help with her case ahead of the March 2026 trial. Wow.

Here's what we know about Blake Lively's latest move in her legal battle with Justin Baldoni.

Blake Lively just involved an ex-CIA advisor in her case.

Blake Lively has enlisted Nick Shapiro, former CIA deputy chief of staff and senior advisor John Brennan (the former director), to help with her case, according to Page Six and Variety.

“The litigation team for Ms. Lively retained Mr. Shapiro to advise on the legal communications strategy for the ongoing sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit occurring in the Southern District of New York,” Blake Lively's lawyers said in a statement.

This proves more than anything else that Blake is taking the trial really seriously because this is a major move on her part.

Recently, Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni actually agreed on something when they spoke out against the "violent" messages Blake and her loved ones have been receiving.

Blake's legal team requested a stronger protection order (PO), considering Blake, "her family, other members of the cast, various fact witnesses, and individuals that have spoken out publicly in support of Ms. Lively have received violent, profane, sexist, and threatening communications" (as the request states), "good cause exists for the Court to adopt the Proposed PO."

And Justin's legal team went on the record, saying they "do not condone dangerous rhetoric targeted toward anyone no matter the situation. Anyone receiving violent messages by anonymous parties is abhorrent."

“When private parties were wrongfully accused by Lively and her paid team of wrongdoing, they received continuous death threats and visits to private homes where young children reside after their addresses were leaked on her initial complaints," they continue. "No one should have to face that, especially private parties who do not have means for security detail. We do not condone dangerous rhetoric targeted toward anyone no matter the situation.”

Stay tuned for more news on Blake Lively & Justin Baldoni's legal battle.

'90s babies, the time has come: we're now officially a part of a historical American Girl doll timeline. The company announced their newest historical girls, fraternal twins Isabel and Nicki Hoffman, on February 22 and Twitter went wild over the fact that the 1990s are now "historical" (although...they were almost 25 years ago).

The twins are giving us some major Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen vibes, and in addition to the dial-up computer and Pizza Hut dinner, the 18-inch doll collection is a treasure trove of details, looks, and toys from our childhoods (including the dolls' own American Girl magazine!). Let's take a little trip down memory lane with the American Girl '90s dolls.

Meet Isabel + Nicki from the American Girl Doll '90s Collection

Isabel™ & Nicki’s™ Ultimate Collection ($326): Isabel Hoffman™ Doll, Journal & Accessories ($151); Nicki Hoffman™ Doll, Journal & Accessories ($151); Isabel™ & Nicki's™ Pet Set ($34)

The American Girl dolls have everything from composition notebooks and overall dresses to flannels and chokers. If we flipped through our childhood scrapbooks, we could point out these exact details in our own lives!

Isabel™ & Nicki’s™ Bedroom Bundle ($641): Isabel™ & Nicki’s™ Computer & Desk Set ($145); Isabel’s™ Floral Dreams Pajamas ($34); Nicki’s™ Skater Dreams Sleep Shirt ($28); Isabel’s™ Bed & Floral Dreams Bedding Set ($150); Nicki’s™ Bed & Animal-Print Bedding Set ($150); Isabel’s™ Bedroom Accessories ($50); Nicki’s™ Bedroom Accessories($50)

Reversible bedspreads, funky pillows, and animal slippers? Cute bedroom accessories and inflatable chairs? Their own dial-up computer? These girls are living our childhood dream.

Pizza Hut® BOOK IT!™ Set ($32)

We'd eat pizza everyday if we could, and we're certain those childhood trips to Pizza Hut is where our love for the cheesy dish began.

Isabel™ & Nicki’s™ Sports Bundle ($255): Isabel™ & Nicki's™ 2-in-1 Tennis Court & Skate Spot ($175); Isabel’s™ Tennis Outfit ($40); Nicki’s™ Skateboarding Outfit ($40)

Whether you dreamed of skateboarding around town or you played tons of tennis à la Break Point, you don't have to pick when you have a 2-in-1 tennis court and skating rink.

What do you think of this new American Girl doll collection? More importantly, what do you think about the fact that the '90s were almost 25 years ago?! Whew. Let us know on Twitter.

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

Look out Bridgerton fans — Simone Ashley is giving love another chance in her new rom-com movie Picture This! We'll always love her inspiring take on Kate Sharma, but it's nice to see her spreading her acting wings. Just don't expect the two worlds to collide!

Picture This has a modern feel that explores the life of a single woman who's more concerned about having a lucrative career than putting all of her eggs in one basket. It's an accurate depiction of dating in 2025 and takes outdated relationship rules to task! Let's dig into all the exciting details!

Keep scrolling to learn everything you need to know about Simone Ashley's rom-com, Picture This!

What is 'Picture This' about?

Amazon MGM Studios

Picture This is about a photographer Pia's (Simone Ashley) journey to living life on her terms, but she gets the surprise of a lifetime when she's given dating tasks. In order to truly have the life she wants, she has to go on a few dates which is the opposite of what she's trying to focus on.

Adding even more turmoil to the mix is the reappearance of an ex that sends Pia down of path of self-discovery that may or may not end with her falling in love.

Who's starring in 'Picture This'?

Amazon MGM Studios

Picture This will star:

  • Simone Ashley
  • Hero Fiennes Tiffin
  • Sindhu Vee
  • Luke Fetherson
  • Nikesh Patel
  • Adil Ray
  • Anoushka Chadha
  • Eben Figueiredo
  • Kulvinder Ghir
  • Asim Chaudhry
  • Phil Dunster
And the film will be directed by Prarthana Mohan (Christmas Canceled).

When will it premiere?

Amazon MGM Studios

Picture This is set to premiere March 6, 2025 on Amazon Prime.

What The Trailer For 'Picture This' Here!

www.youtube.com

- YouTube

Picture This appears to be full of hilarious moments from a best friend who has witty one-liners to a family who's good intentions feel invasive. The only thing we'll have to wait to see is whether Pia and her ex will get a second chance at love or not.

Are you excited to see Picture This? Let us know on Facebook!

Just like the perfect batch of cookies, the perfect TV show boils down to a fine-tuned recipe: a witty script, amazing producers, and a cast that might as well have been written in the stars. Well, even though we don't have much information about Apple TV's new limited series Lucky, we do know Anya Taylor-Joy and Drew Starkey will star in the project, with Reese Witherspoon at the helm. And TBH...that's all I need to know.

Here's everything we know about Reese Witherspoon's Lucky, starring Anya Taylor-Joy and Drew Starkey.

See the first look at Drew Starkey and Anya Taylor-Joy in 'Lucky.'

Apple Studios

Drew Starkey and Anya Taylor-Joy are up close and personal in the first look at Lucky, and it looks like this show will be getting HOT.

Apple Studios

I can't get over how amazing Anya Taylor-Joy looks with red hair, especially with a sequin, sparkly dress. It definitely reminds me of The Queen's Gambit's Beth in a different font.

What is Lucky about?

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Lucky, based on Marissa Stapley's book of the same name, is a Reese's Book Club pick that follows a young woman named Lucky (Anya Taylor-Joy) who said goodbye to the life of crime she'd always known. But when she's faced with her past, she has to turn back to her training one last time.

In addition to Anya (who's also executive producing), we'll see Drew Starkey as her onscreen husband Cary, as well as Annette Bening, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor and Timothy Olyphant. And the series will be brought to life by Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine (which is behind The Morning Showand The Last Thing He Told Me).

What has the cast and crew said about the TV show?

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

“Hello Sunshine continues to do a fantastic job of championing women’s voices and I’m thrilled to be joining the team alongside Jonathan, Cassie and Apple TV+ to bring Lucky to life,” Anya Taylor-Joy told Apple TV.

“Reese’s Book Club began with the goal of deepening connections — to the stories, to the storytellers and to the community we are building,” Reese Witherspoon added. “It is incredibly rewarding to be able to amplify these female-centric stories and their authors, see our community connect with them, then see them take on a whole new life on screen. We couldn’t be more excited to partner with Apple TV+ and the incomparable Anya Taylor-Joy, plus our brilliant creator Jonathan Tropper and his wonderful co-showrunner Cassie Pappas, to bring this compelling series — based on Marissa Stapley’s fantastic novel — to audiences around the world.”

Where is Lucky being filmed?

David Vives/Pexels

Drew Starkey and Anya Taylor-Joy were spotted filmingLucky at a Las Vegas casino on February 24, and will film the rest of the show in Los Angeles.

Where can I watch Lucky TV show?

KoolShooters/Pexels

Lucky will be available to stream on Apple TV+.

We don't have a release date yet, but stay tuned for the latest news on Lucky!

This post has been updated.